How can you get money in Seville during your trip? What is the easiest and safest way to pay all your expenses while you’re in Seville?
“Do I need cash in Seville?”
“Is it better to use cash or card in Seville?”
“Should I exchange money before I travel to Spain?”
To answer these questions, read this complete tutorial with all the practical information you need to know about using debit and credit cards in Seville, where to find ATMs, and everything related to changing cash.
And here you have a couple of additional links that can prove useful as well:
1. Money in Spain: How to pay and to access your funds.
2. The best travel money card you can use in Spain (2022).
Fortunately, having access to your money in Seville is super easy.
You can:
Travel cards — with innovative multi-currency accounts and traditional banks alike — offer good methods for avoiding fees when withdrawing cash from ATMs, and have the exact same advantages of paying like a Sevillano.
Get the best travel money card and forget about transaction fees!
Accessing an ATM is another cost-effective way to get your hands on euros while in Seville.
The ATM network is one of the biggest in Europe, you’ll probably find a bank branch in each block of every city and every gas station has an ATM.
In general ATMs dispense both 20€ and 50€ notes. People usually carry notes up to 50€ so it is not very common to see 100€ notes or higher. And I’m not even talking about €500 ones… I never had one myself!
Withdrawing with your credit or debit card? This can be painstakingly expensive at ATMs in Seville! That’s why I recommend ordering and using a dedicated travel money card.
It’s a particularly savvy move if you have a bank with low or no foreign transaction fees, which allows you to convert your home currency into euros at excellent exchange rates. Get a debit card with no foreign transaction fees to make cash withdrawals just like a local.
ATM fees in Spain and around the world will often come in any combination of the following four forms:
Tip #1: Pay in euros when withdrawing from ATMs in Seville
The rule here is simple — pay in the local currency (€) and avoid paying in your home currency.
Tip #2: Don’t use a credit card to withdraw cash
All of your credit and debit cards will work in Seville, but if they are not designated as travel cards or if they do not come with international perks, then you can be charged between 1.75% to 4.25% to withdraw cash. Use a dedicated travel money card instead and save yourself money and troubles.
Tip #3: Use your common sense and withdraw the right amount
It’s also a smart idea to take out cash at once, instead of making lots of small withdrawals, to prevent fees from adding up. On the other hand, don’t withdraw too much, as you’ll want to guard against the risks of pickpockets or lost wallets.
Figuring out how to exchange currency before you travel to Seville could save you a good amount in fees.
If, for any reason, you feel safer traveling with some cash in hand. Exchange your local currency into euros at your local bank or credit union
Why?
Because it’s likely has the best exchange rates and lowest fees.
If you prefer to wait until you get to Seville, it’s usually more cost-effective to get cash with your debit card from an ATM at the airport than using an airport exchange kiosk.
Keep in mind that these businesses tend to apply incredibly high commission rates.
However, if you still need to exchange money you can do it at
Due to the Covid pandemic the transition to a cashless society has really gained momentum in Spain. Most places in Seville do accept payment by card, but not under a certain threshold amount.
Therefore, if you want to stop by the nearest churros stand or gorge at the local 5€ tapas bar, you may need cash on hand. And I suggest you avoid paying anything with 100€ notes or higher, most hotels, shops and restaurants don’t accept them.
While tipping is not mandatory in Seville, it’s practiced by Sevillanos from time to time especially when they want to thank staff who provide great service.
So try to always have cash on you.
Spain’s move towards a cashless society has been much slower than northern Europe and before the Covid pandemic took hold, the thought of paying for a coffee or a beer with a card would never have crossed the minds of many.
However, that is all changing, as minimum card payments now cease to exist in many places and the popularity of paying with just a mobile phone is increasing.
Electronic payment is commonly used in Spain, and almost everywhere in Seville: use a debit card for all your expenses and a credit card for emergencies.
I strongly recommend you to use a Wise card during your trip to Spain instead of your traditional bank debit card.
You’ll avoid the fees charged by your bank for spending abroad and abusive currency exchange rates.
For instance,